Grand Theft Auto - San Andreas

[Friction]

Well sorry all the same.

I'd edit the post to be spoiler free if I knew how!

[Paul3704]

How can you not realise he was joking?

Finally got hold of a helicopter, and then promptly ploughed it into the side of an aircraft carrier. I'm ****ing appalling at this malarkey.

I like the subtle touches in these games. Stuff that amazed me in GTA3, is still in SA, but i'm oblivious to it. Touches like when you hijack a car, release the accelerator for a second, and CJ leans over and closes the car door. Radio weather reports corresponding with the environment. The level of detail is unbelievable.

I asked this question a while ago, but to me it feels like a realistic representation of a city, which if I'm right, took two years to accomplish.

How come Fable just feels restricted after four years in development, and over 200 people on it's staff. Graphically it's shinier, but it's a gameplay free zone, and desperately unfunny.

In short, what i'm asking is, how long does it take for 200 Lionhead programmers to get their act together and produce a fun game?

[Sketcz]

My brother recently bought this, and has been bugging me to ask:

Is it normal for the game to look so dark lighting wise?
Vice City was very bright, but often during the game he can't see some dark sections that are in shadow. Noticeable in cut scenes and sections of the cars.
Also, in one nightclub, it looks like there is no texturing on the people, just opaque black figures. Its wierd.
Even turning the brightness up has no effect. It just seems very dark in some areas of shadow, despite it being very bright only a few metres away.

So, is the lighting screwy?

My PS2 runs VC just fine still, and I cant get hold of another copy of SA to test.
(cant for the life of me remember seeing this on my friends copy)

Also we both agree that we miss the stronger trails effects from VC, why is there no option to turn it on in the display options?!

[Paul3704]

I hated the trails in the previous games, made the screen look cluttered.

In clubs it does seem a bit dark, but i think thats part of the theme, although Jizzy's club on San Fiero is okay.

I've honestly not noticed it outside though. I thought Halo 2 was very dark, so maybe it's my eyes.

[Sketcz]

We also get the slow loading textures problem quite frequently.
Reckon my PS2 is reaching the end of days.

Anyway, the darkness is annoying, sometimes when you run around, you can barely see the character or what they are wearing. Its like the lighting system is all screwed up, or was badly programmed.

Anyway, I guess I must be the only one who loved the GTA trails.

[Paul3704]

The lighting is nowhere near that bad. I think you might have an error with either your machine or your TV. I can always see what he is wearing.

I'd have a look in the options, ensure the brightness is at the right level.

[Zanza]

Anyone seen the san andreas map in toenos house? It has several things pin pointed on it? I followed one which led to the ufo cafe in las venturas, and when searching in the back of the cafe, I found another map the same as in torenos house? aswell as a bunch of photos of ufos? Wonder whats at the other points. Also when its dark, I always notice those 7 or 8 extremely bright lights in the sky which never move, are they supposed to be stars? Its strange because there all located in the same area of the sky, and there are no other stars anywhere else to be seen? They also seem to be similar to the pattern of locations on the map in torenos, but i could be wrong?
Maybee im looking too hard.......

[HaHaUK]

I also hated the trails in VC. always gave me a headache.

[Sergeant Syphillis]

I came accustomed to the trails after a while however I can't say I missed them

I think I've nearly finished the third city now and must say the game has been fantastic. There's just so much to do, I spent yesterday confronting the three schools and have got all Golds in flying and drving and have only got one more Gold to get on the bike school (the last test is ridiculously difficult). I also spent an hour or so shooting tyres on the free-way, something which is curiously addicitve, its usefull too as popping tyres is the best way to get your weapon skill level up.

Th only thing that has tarnished the experience for me is that someone thoughtfully told me how the game ends the other day, right after myself requesting not to be told anything about the story, grrrrr.

Still amazing though nonetheless, with this and Metal Gear the PS2 is having an excellent christmas.

[ryodi]

Hahaha. Last night I had just finished a mission and my car was smoking due to some pretty terrible driving on my part. So I dump it before it explodes and look for another vehicle. And the first one I find? A road sweeper. I couldn't stop laughing. So I took it for a spin and understandably it wasn't the greatest getaway vehicle ever but it was just so unexpected to find it. Still haven't found a moped in the game yet

[Paul3704]

Collecting all the little extras. Got al the horseshoes and the graffiti tags, just got to get the oysters now....

I'm loving it, i like the difference in archtecture between the districts, and i like the sandstorms in the desert at night. All the little touches.

It's the best example of 'sandbox' gaming i've played. Strange, cause i wasn't keen on vice city.

Getting golds in the driving school? My hat goes off to you sir.

[Sergeant Syphillis]

Thankyou good sir! It's really not too difficult, the only problem is with that 90 degree turn between the two cars, it is based somewhat on luck I believe. The best advice I could give would be to repeat the handbrake turn test, or the last one over and over, doing so will max out your actual driving skill much quicker. TBH, getting all golds isn't worth it with the driving tests, the car you get ( the hotknife ) is crap imo, your far better off using the bullet (all silvers or you can just pick one up in the last city). Now the flying missions, they really are worth getting your golds on, 'Brown thunder' has never been soo much fun...

Hats off to you for the horseshoes and tags!

[HaHaUK]

today, i decided to copy my save onto my other memory card, as the one im using is full, and i wanted to take advantage of the camera. so like the dumb idiot i am, i press delete instead of copy and quickly press x to confirm it. and BANG my save is gone! all 20 hours of it. luckily i backed it up last week so all isnt lost, but thats like 5 whole hours of my life down the drain now. im so pissed.

[Paul3704]

You poor, poor bastard.

[mid]

thats like 5 whole hours of my life down the drain now. im so pissed.

Losing high score records is a nightmare, because you never remember precisely what you got.

But really, with savegames, as much as I know what you mean, surely its a sign of a poor game when the prospect of replaying a section makes you feel like its 'down the drain'? If you're really only playing the game to get it completed, and not for the enjoyment along the way, I'd recommend playing something else.